Fan motor and fan motor assembly for an apparatus such as a refrigerator

ABSTRACT

An apparatus such as a refrigerator includes a fan motor and a fan motor assembly. The fan motor assembly includes fastening brackets on opposed lateral surfaces or sides of the body or housing of the fan motor, and a fan fastening unit that is attached to the fan motor (e.g., the body or housing) using the fastening brackets, thereby reducing noise and vibration due to operation of the fan motor, enhancing the flow of air around the fan motor, minimizing an installation space of the fan motor, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the fan motor assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0165921, filed on Dec. 27, 2013, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. This application may be related to the application having Docket No. DDEB-0042-02S01US (FPB130206-US) by Hyuk Jang Kwon and entitled “Centrifigual Fan for Devices Including Refrigerators,” the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to a fan motor and a fan motor assembly for an apparatus (e.g., an appliance) such as a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a fan motor and a fan motor assembly for an apparatus such as a refrigerator in which a fan motor is directly attached to a portion of a fan motor housing or fastening unit using fastening brackets that are on lateral surfaces of the body of the fan motor.

BACKGROUND

In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus (e.g., an appliance) that cools air using a cooling cycle in which refrigerant is compressed, condensed, expanded, and evaporated, and cools and/or freezes food to preserve it for a relatively long period of time.

In recent years, high-grade refrigerators such as side-by-side refrigerators and French-type refrigerators are popular. Side-by-side refrigerators and French-type refrigerators make it easier to load food, are more convenient to use, and may be more aesthetically pleasing.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional refrigerator 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a body 2 having a storage space divided into a cold compartment 3 and a freezer compartment 4, a door 5 for the cold compartment 3, and a door 6 for the freezer compartment 4.

In general, in order to implement a cooling cycle, the refrigerator 1 includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant from the compressor by exchanging heat with outside air, an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant exiting from the condenser, and an evaporator that absorbs in-refrigerator heat as the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve is evaporated in a low-pressure state. The compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator may be located behind the refrigerator 1, for example.

Conventional refrigerators can be generally classified as either an indirect cooling type or a direct cooling type. The indirect cooling type of refrigerator cools the cold compartment and the freezer compartment by distributing cool air from the evaporator to the cold compartment and the freezer compartment using a fan driven by a fan motor. In the direct cooling type of refrigerator, the evaporator is exposed so that the cold compartment and the freezer compartment are cooled by evaporation of the refrigerant. However, the direct cooling type of refrigerator can be problematic because it can be difficult to circulate the cool air generated by the evaporator. Also, the temperature around the evaporator is relatively low but the temperature away from the evaporator is relatively high, and as a result, the freezer compartment and the cold compartment cannot be rapidly cooled.

In a conventional refrigerator, cool air from the evaporator is distributed to the cold compartment and the freezer compartment using a fan driven by a fan motor. This can be problematic because the fan motor can take up a relatively large amount of space because of its structure and/or shape. As a result, the amount of available space inside the refrigerator is reduced.

Also, the fan motor can interfere with the flow of the cool air and, as a result, the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator may be reduced.

In addition, installation of the fan motor can be time-consuming and expensive, which increases manufacturing cost and hence increases the total production cost of the refrigerator.

Furthermore, if the fan motor is not securely fastened, then noise and vibration due to the fan motor is increased, which is problematic for consumers that prefer quieter refrigerators.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a fan motor and a fan motor assembly for an apparatus such as a refrigerator. The fan motor includes fastening brackets on opposed lateral surfaces or sides of the body of the fan motor. The fastening brackets may be symmetric with respect to the body and/or each other. The fan motor is directly and securely attached to a connecting portion of a fan motor fastening unit, thereby reducing noise, enhancing the flow of cool air, reducing the space occupied by the fan motor, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the fan motor assembly.

In one or more embodiments, the fan motor includes: a body; a rotational shaft projecting or extending from the body; and fastening brackets formed on opposed lateral surfaces or sides of the body.

In one or more embodiments, each of the fastening brackets includes a first (e.g., horizontal) portion attached to one of the lateral surfaces of the body; a second (e.g., substantially vertical) portion attached to an end of the first portion and extending at an angle (e.g., downward) from the first portion; and a flange portion extending from the second portion.

In one or more embodiments, each of the fastening brackets includes a connecting hole in the flange that may be configured to fix the fan motor to another body (e.g., a fan motor fastening unit).

The first portion, the second portion, the flange portion, and the joining hole of a fastening bracket of the fan motor may be integrally formed.

In one or more embodiments, the fan motor assembly includes: the fan motor; a fan motor fastening unit to which the fan motor is fixed, joined, and/or attached; and a fan joined or attached to the rotational shaft of the fan motor.

In one or more embodiments, the fan motor fastening unit includes: a body portion; a through-hole in the body portion through which the rotational shaft of the fan motor passes; a projection coupled to the body portion around the circumference of the through-hole; and connecting portions on the projection on opposite sides of the through-hole.

The fan motor may be directly joined or attached to the fan motor fastening unit by, for example, a bolt or screw through the connecting hole and into the connecting portion.

A fan motor and a fan motor assembly suitable for use in a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or other appliance in exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure may reduce the installation time and/or the manufacturing cost of the fan motor assembly.

Also, space inside the refrigerator may be more efficiently utilized by reducing the amount of space for the fan motor.

In addition, the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator may be improved by enhancing the flow of cool air, and the cost of maintaining the refrigerator may be reduced.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fan motor in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view of a fastening bracket in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fan motor assembly in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fan motor assembly in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the fan motor assembly in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fan motor fastening unit in a fan motor assembly in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In giving reference numerals to elements of each drawing, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various configurations of the present disclosure, and operations and/or effects according to the configurations of the present disclosure, will be clearly understood by the detailed description below.

It should be noted that the drawings are schematically provided and not necessarily to scale. The relative dimensions and ratios of the parts illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size for clarity and convenience in the drawings, and the dimensions are only examples without limitation. In the following description, the same elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed explanation of known related structures and/or constitutions may be omitted so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure show ideal examples of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings are expected to be changed in various ways. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to specific configurations in the drawings, and may be changed to have various shapes and/or arrangements (e.g., by manufacturing).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fan motor that can be used in a refrigerator in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of part A of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fan motor assembly that can be used in a refrigerator in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a side view of a fan motor assembly that can be used in a refrigerator in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a fan motor assembly that can be used in a refrigerator in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fan motor fastening unit in a fan motor assembly that can be used in a refrigerator in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a fan motor 100 in one or more exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure is described. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fan motor 100 includes a body 110, a rotational shaft 120, and fastening brackets 130.

The body 110 forms the outer shape or housing of the fan motor 100.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, one or more lead wires are connected to a part (e.g., an electrical terminal) of the motor (e.g., body 110), and the body 110 can receive power through the lead wire(s). A ground wire may also connected to a ground terminal of the motor (e.g., body 110).

The rotational shaft 120 projects or extends from the body 110. That is, the rotational shaft 120 projects or extends from a lower part of the body 110. As described below, a fan 300 (FIG. 4) is joined or attached to the rotational shaft 120. In one or more embodiments, the fan 300 is a centrifugal fan, specifically a centrifugal fan such as is described in the (possibly) related application referenced above.

The fastening brackets 130 are formed on or attached to lateral surfaces of the body 110. In one or more embodiments, two fastening brackets 130 are on (and/or integral with) opposite surfaces of the body 110 so that they are 180° apart with the rotational shaft 120 at their center. The fastening brackets 130 may be attached to the body 110 by welds, rivets, or bolts, but the present disclosure is not so limited. The fastening brackets 130 may be formed integrally with the body 110 (e.g., by injection molding). In other embodiments, three fastening brackets 130 may be on lateral surfaces and/or on either an upper surface or a lower surface of the body 110 so that the fastening brackets 130 are 120° apart with the rotational shaft 120 at their center. Using the fastening brackets 130, the fan motor 100 can be securely attached to a fan motor fastening unit 200 (FIG. 4). In yet other embodiments, a total of four fastening brackets 130 may be on opposed lateral surfaces and/or on the upper and lower surfaces of the body 110 so that the fastening brackets 130 are 90° apart with the rotational shaft 120 at their center.

The fan motor 100 may be a BLDC (brushless direct current) motor that is in or inside the body 110 and can drive the rotational shaft 120, but the present disclosure is not so limited.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the fastening brackets 130 in exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure includes a first (e.g., horizontal) portion 131, a second (e.g., vertical or substantially vertical) portion 132, and a flange portion 133. In an embodiment, the fastening bracket 130 includes a connecting hole 134.

A lateral surface (e.g., the edge) of the first portion 131 can be joined or attached to a lateral surface of the body 110 as shown in FIG. 2.

The second portion 132 is at one end of the first portion 131, generally opposite from the body 110 or lateral surface of the first portion 131. The second portion 132 extends at an angle (e.g., vertically and/or downward) from the first portion 131 and thus at an angle (e.g., downward) from the body 110 of the fan motor 100.

The flange portion 133 extends from one end of the second portion 132, parallel or substantially parallel to the first portion 131.

The connecting hole 134 is in the flange portion 133. The connecting hole 134 can be used to directly join or attach the fan motor 100 to a connecting portion 240 (FIG. 7) of the fan motor fastening unit 200 using, for example, a bolt or screw.

In one or more embodiments, the first portion 131, the second portion 132, the flange portion 133, and the connecting hole 134 of each fastening bracket 130 are integral or integrally formed with each other, but the present disclosure is not so limited.

The body 110 of the fan motor 100 and the first portion 131, the second portion 132, the flange portion 133, and the connecting hole 134 of the fastening brackets 130 may also be integral or integrally formed.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, a fan motor assembly 10 that can be used in a refrigerator in exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure is described.

The fan motor assembly 10 includes the fan motor 100, the fan motor fastening unit 200, and the fan 300. The fan motor 100 is joined or attached to the fan motor fastening unit 200 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, for example. The fan 300 is joined or attached to the rotational shaft 110 of the fan motor 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the fan motor fastening unit 200 of the fan motor assembly 10 in exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure includes a body portion 210, a through-hole 220, a projection 230, and connecting portions 240.

The body 210 forms an overall outer shape and/or exterior of the fan motor fastening unit 200. The body portion may comprise or be made of a plastic material, but the present disclosure is not so limited.

The through-hole 220 is in the body portion 210. The rotational shaft 120 of the fan motor 100 passes through the through-hole 220, and the fan 300 is joined or attached to the end of the rotational shaft 120. The through-hole 220 may be circular in shape, but the present disclosure is not so limited.

The projection 230 projects from the body portion 210 around the circumference of the through-hole 220. Proper positioning of the fan motor 100 may be readily verified using the projection 230. Consequently, the time needed to attach the fan motor 100 to the fan motor fastening unit 200 can be shortened.

The connecting portions 240 are on opposite sides of the through-hole 220 on the surface of the projection 230. In one or more embodiments, two connecting portions 240 are located 180° apart from each other around the through-hole 220. The connecting portion 240 may have a cylindrical shape, with a grooved or threaded hole in the middle to accommodate a bolt or screw. In other embodiments including three or four fastening brackets 130, three or four connecting portions 240 can also be used, and can be located on the projection 230 in positions that correspond to the connecting holes 134 of the fastening brackets 130.

The fan motor 100 is joined or attached to the fan motor fastening unit 200 by a bolt, screw, etc., through the connecting hole 134 in the fastening bracket 130 and into the connecting portion 240 of the fan motor fastening unit 200.

As the fan motor 100 is directly and securely joined or attached to the fan motor fastening unit 200, noise and vibration(s) from the fan motor can be reduced. Also, the flow of cool air is facilitated by reducing the number of fastening brackets joined or attached to the fan motor, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator.

Because the fan motor is directly joined or attached to the fan motor fastening unit, the space occupied by the fan motor is reduced. As a result, space inside the refrigerator is more efficiently utilized. Also, the manufacturing cost associated with the fan motor assembly is reduced, thus reducing the overall cost of the refrigerator.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present disclosure will not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan motor operable for use in a refrigerator, the fan motor comprising: a body; a rotational shaft projecting or extending from the body; and fastening brackets on opposed lateral surfaces or sides of the body.
 2. The fan motor of claim 1, wherein each of the fastening brackets is integral with the body.
 3. The fan motor of claim 1, wherein each of the fastening brackets comprises: a first portion joined or attached to one of the lateral surfaces of the body; a second portion attached to an end of the first portion and extending at an angle from the first portion; and a flange portion extending from the second portion.
 4. The fan motor of claim 3, wherein the first portion extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally from the body, the second portion extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally from the first portion, and the flange portion extends parallel or substantially parallel from the second portion.
 5. The fan motor of claim 3, further comprising a connecting hole in the flange portion of each of the fastening brackets.
 6. The fan motor of claim 5, wherein the first portion, the second portion, the flange portion, and the connecting hole of each of the fastening brackets are integral with each other.
 7. A fan motor assembly comprising the fan motor of claim 1, the fan motor assembly comprising: a fan motor fastening unit to which the fan motor is joined or attached; and a fan joined or attached to the rotational shaft.
 8. The fan motor assembly of claim 7, wherein the fan motor fastening unit comprises: a body portion having a through-hole therein and through which the rotational shaft of the fan motor passes; a projection coupled to the body portion around the circumference of the through-hole; and connecting portions on a surface of the projection on opposite sides of the through-hole.
 9. The fan motor assembly of claim 8, wherein the fan motor is directly joined or attached to the fan motor fastening unit using bolts or screws that are inserted through connecting holes in the fastening brackets into the connecting portions.
 10. The fan motor of claim 1, wherein the number and arrangement of the fastening brackets is selected from the group consisting: two fastening brackets 180° apart; three fastening brackets 120° apart; and four fastening brackets 90° apart.
 11. A refrigerator, comprising: an evaporator; a fan motor adjacent to the evaporator, comprising: a body; a rotational shaft projecting or extending from the body; and fastening brackets on opposed lateral surfaces or sides of the body; a fan motor fastening unit coupled to the fan motor; and a fan attached to the rotational shaft.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein each of the fastening brackets comprises: a first portion attached to one of the lateral surfaces of the body; a second portion attached to an end of the first portion; and a flange portion extending from the second portion.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising a connecting hole in the flange portion of each of the fastening brackets.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the first portion, the second portion, the flange portion, and the connecting hole of each of the fastening brackets are integral with each other.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the fan motor fastening unit comprises: a body portion having a through-hole therein and through which the rotational shaft of the fan motor passes; a projection coupled to the body portion around the circumference of the through-hole; and connecting portions on a surface of the projection on opposite sides of the through-hole.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the fan motor is directly attached to the fan motor fastening unit using bolt or screws that are inserted through connecting holes in the fastening brackets into the connecting portions.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the number and arrangement of the fastening brackets is selected from the group consisting: two fastening brackets 180° apart; three fastening brackets 120° apart; and four fastening brackets 90° apart.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein each of the fastening brackets is integral with the body.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the first portion extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally from the body, the second portion extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally from the first portion, and the flange portion extends parallel or substantially parallel from the second portion. 